Rolling Magnetic Toy

ABSTRACT

A toy that has a pair of wheel-like members mounted on a central axle. The central axle is a ferrous metal rod with a pair of small permanent or other magnets attached to each end of the rod. The two magnets are positioned so that like poles face each other in opposition and face the center of the rod. A non-ferrous support plate such as a flat piece of wood with a metal strip on its edges forms a track. The magnets associated with the axle causes the toy to achieve the effect of clinging to the metal strip portions of the track. When the device is placed on the track, it will roll along the track under the force of gravity while magnetically clinging to the track in any horizontal or vertical position of the track.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/879,414 filed Oct. 9,2015. which claimed priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent applicationNo. 62/062,527 filed Oct. 10, 2014. Applications Ser. No. 14/879,414 and62/062,527 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to toys that roll and moreparticularly to a toy that rolls on a metal track by clinging to itmagnetically.

Description of the Prior Art

Toys that contain magnets are known in the art as well as toys that rollon tracks. None of these prior art toys feature a dual wheel structurewith a central axle that magnetically clings to a track regardless ofthe vertical or horizontal position of the toy. Prior art track devicestypically have two tracks and simply roll, but do not cling.

Yo-Yos are also known in the art. For example, Duncan, in U.S. Pat. No.3,805,443 discloses a basic yo-yo. Numerous variations exist on thebasic yo-yo such as those disclosed by Labarbara in U.S. Publication No.2014/0154945. However, yo-yos are used with string, made of wood orplastic and do not generally run on tracks. What is needed is a toy withmagnetic properties featuring a modified yo-yo-like structure that canfollow a narrow track at a relatively constant speed in any vertical orhorizontal position, and also be released from the track to performtricks or to connect the rolling toy to other component track pieces andremain in continuous motion throughout the track structure circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy that has a dual wheel, yo-yo-likestructure that resembles a pair of discs, door knobs or wheel-likemembers mounted on a central axle. The central axle is a ferrous metalrod with a pair of small permanent or other magnets attached to each endof the rod. The two magnets are positioned so that like poles face eachother in opposition and face the center of the rod. The magnets areaffixed to the wheels within the interior of the wheel structure andattached to the ends of the shaft of the axel. This causes the toy toachieve the effect of clinging to the metal strip portions of the track.Two possible configurations for the magnets to be attached to the axelare possible: S—N—N—S or N—S—S—N. Other configurations, for exampleN—S—N—S, fail to create a desired magnetic force perpendicular to thecylindrical surface at the center of the axle. A small portion of theaxle is exposed at the center between the wheel members to allow contactwith a ferrous metal flat strip or rod affixed to the track. The exposedsection of the axle is slightly wider than the track. When the device isplaced on the track, which is preferably a thin strip or rod, it willroll along the track under the force of gravity while magneticallyclinging to the track in any horizontal or vertical position of thetrack. The device rolls at almost constant speeds determined by thediameter of the axle, the direction of gravity with respect to theorientation of the track, the strength of the magnets, and the acquiredmomentum. For example, the toy can be made to slowly accelerate downhillbuilding up momentum (or equivalently kinetic energy) but at almostconstant speed, and then following the track, to roll back uphill untilthis momentum (or energy) is dissipated, again, at almost constantspeed. The track can follow any path, and can be configured into anycombination of shapes. The toy rolls slowly along the track even atsteep angles because of the clinging effect caused by the magnetinteracting with the track. The outsides of the wheel members can becovered and decorated in any manner.

The device can be released from the magnetic track and allowed to rollfree of the metal track or rail in order to speed up, or to changedirection, jump, or be launched into other track structures which catchthe wheel (at the axle) with another metal strip and allow it tocontinue on its journey through various track configurations. When therotating wheel disengages from the single ferrous track onto a widertrack section the wheels roll on the outer edges of the discs or thesurface of the wheel members rather than the axle using no magneticattraction. Due to the far larger circumference of the side wheels ascompared to the circumference of the axle, the toy rapidly accelerateswhen released. This is because a point on the outside edge of a rotatingdisk travels a greater distance in one complete rotation than a pointnearer the center.

The magnetic clinging effect, along with centrifugal force and momentumgenerated by the rotation, when combined with sections of both ferrousand non-ferrous track, allows the device to move in ways defying whatwould be assumed as the norm. Some examples of these are: rollingdirectly downward on a vertical rail at a very slow pace without fallingoff, rolling vertically uphill, clinging while rolling under ahorizontal support, jumping gaps in the track and then reattaching toanother track or device and suddenly slowing down or suddenly speedingup.

An important feature of the present invention is the use of a singletrack or rail having a flat ferrous metal strip or rod attached orimbedded in a support. A single track has numerous benefits includingbeing easier to use, less expensive to manufacture, easier to locate,allow for engagement or disengagement from the track, have a smallerfootprint, and provide the ability to control the speed, motion anddirection of the rolling device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is now directed at several figures that illustrate features ofthe present invention:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention on a continuoustrack.

FIG. 2 shows details of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a particular embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a particular embodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates the magnetic components of the present invention.

FIG. 5B shows the magnet orientations and magnetic field relationshipsfrom the magnetic components of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 shows a more complex track configuration.

FIG. 7 shows square and triangular wheel members.

Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. The scope of the present inventionis not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a rolling magnetic toy that clings to aferrous metal track as it rolls. The toy includes two wheel members orside disks spaced apart and mounted on the ends of a ferrous metal shaftor axle. A small section of the metal axle is exposed in the center ofthe arrangement to allow the magnetized portion of the axle to contact ametal track or rail. A pair of small magnets are attached to the metalaxle, one on each end. The magnetic poles are placed in opposition suchthat either the two N poles of the magnets face toward the center of theaxle, or the two S poles face the center of the axle. Other poleconfigurations will not produce a desired magnetic force perpendicularto the cylindrical surface of the axle.

When the toy is placed such that the exposed part of the central axlecontacts a ferrous metal track, the toy clings to the track, and yetwill roll slowly along the track under the influence of gravity. The toycan operate in any vertical or horizontal position including totallyupside down. The toy rolls slowly even when the track is verticalbecause of the magnetic clinging effect.

Turning to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention canbe seen placed on a continuous ferrous metal track 1. The track 1 isattached to the edge of a planar support member 2 that can be wood,plastic or any other non-ferrous material. Two side disk members orwheel members 3 form the body of the device with a part of the centralferrous metal axle 4 exposed and in contact with the track 1.

The track 1 in FIG. 1 is shown as being continuous; however, this is notrequired. In many embodiments and variations of the present invention,the track is not continuous. In fact, there can be regions where themetal track 1 ends and the wheel members 3 encounter a separatenon-metal track where they simply roll as normal wheels, typically muchfaster than when the toy is on the metal track. The larger circumferenceof the wheel in proportion to the smaller shaft/axel allows the wheel toaccelerate when released from the metallic portion of the track. The toycan roll quite rapidly in these regions depending on the slope becauseit only experiences normal rolling friction and no magnetic force. Themetal track 1 may then optionally pick up again, and the toy will slowto its much slower clinging pace.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 can be held in a person's hand and rotatedabout the planer axis. The toy clings to the track 1 and progressesaround the entire perimeter of the device, not falling off when it is onthe bottom surface. Since the device clings to the track 1, it candescend and ascend nearly vertical slopes. When the device begins toroll down an incline of any steepness including vertical, it rolls at anapproximately constant speed of about one inch per second (which can bechanged by adjusting parameters) due to a pseudo-frictional effectcaused by the magnetic clinging. There is some acceleration downhill anddeceleration uphill; however, the overall effect is a small variation inan almost constant rolling speed. Even the fastest rolling speeds (saydown a completely vertical slope) are much slower than that of afree-rolling or falling wheel. This is evident in configurations wherethe metal track 1 ends, and the side members 3 are allowed to act asnormal wheels on a separate non-metal track. The toy is rolling at aboutone inch per second when it leaves the metal track 1. It immediatelyaccelerates even under a mild slope to a considerably faster rollingspeed, since now there is only normal wheel rolling friction to opposethe gravitational force.

The value of the approximately constant rolling speed is determined bythe diameter of the metal axle, the strength of the magnets, the widthof the track, and to a small extent, the direction of gravitationalforce. A larger diameter axle results in faster rolling. In fact, anoptional collar can be placed around the axle if a rolling speed-up isdesired in some embodiments. When the device rolls downhill, itaccelerates very gradually since the forward gravitational forcecomponent is only slightly greater than the magnetic clinging forcecomponent acting backwards. This causes the device to slowly pick upkinetic energy (which depends on its overall mass). When the device isthen caused to roll uphill, it decelerates gradually since thegravitational force component and the clinging force component are nowboth backwards. If it expends all its kinetic energy, it stops and caneven reverse direction.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the cover 6 removed from oneof the side disks 3, and the track 1 removed from the support 2. Thelocation of one of the magnets 5 on the end of the axle can be seen.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the side disks 3. The locations andorientations of the permanent magnets 5 can be seen. The magnets can besmall cylindrical magnets or any other type or shape of magnet. Forchild safety, the magnets 5 should be permanently affixed to the end ofthe axle 4 or two the side members 3. They can optionally be glued orotherwise held in cavities in the side members 3. The magnets 5 shouldbe in very close proximity to the ends of the axle 4 and preferablyshould make actual contact with it.

The track 1 is preferably a ferrous metal strip approximately 10-40thousands of an inch thick and from ⅛ to ½ inch wide with a preferredwidth of approximately ¼ inch. Alternatively, the track 1 a may be a rodinstead of a strip. The track 1 can be mounted on the edge of a support2 made of non-ferrous material such as plastic or wood. The support 2can be cut in any shape or arbitrary design jigsaw puzzle piece-like,and the track 1 may be continuous or discontinuous along the edge. Thetrack 1 can be glued to the support 2 or attached by any other method ormeans. In some embodiments, there may be no support. The axle or centralshaft 4 of the toy is ferrous metal and with a preferred range ofdiameters from ⅛ inch to ½ inch in diameter with a preferred diameter ofapproximately 3/16 inch. Smaller than around 1/16 inch, the axle willnot be strong enough, and there will not be enough magnetic force.Larger than around ½ inch causes the toy to roll too fast.

The side disk members or wheels 3 must be spaced far enough apart toallow a wide enough exposed part of the axle 4 that is slightly widerthan the width of the track 1. The separations of the disk members 3should not be so great that the device wobbles on the track or so tightthat additional pinch or friction is introduced. The separation shouldbe so that the device loosely fits on the track 1. The side disk members3 should have enough mass to give allow the device to acquire areasonable amount of momentum on downward trips; however, they shouldnot be so massive that they fail to start to turn or climb.

While FIGS. 1-3 show the side disk members 3 as being round, this is notnecessary unless the configuration is such that during part of a run,they will act as independent wheels (where the metal track 1 ends, andwheel tracks continue). In fact, the side members or wheel members 3 canbe any shape including squares, stars, ellipses, triangles or any othershape. This is because the side members do not normally touch thesupport or anything else except the central axle 4 The central axle 4should pass through their centers of gravity for optimum performance. Inaddition, the exterior covers 6 on the side members 3 can be decorated,painted, lighted or have any other manner of display. The covers 6 areoptional.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. Again,the relationship between the side members 3, the central axle 4, themagnets 5 and the covers 6 can be seen. FIG. 4 shows the covers 6 withholes; however, this is not necessary. The covers 6 can be anynon-ferrous material and can have any surface or decorations.

FIG. 5A shows the relationship between the magnetic components of thepresent invention. A ferrous metal rod or axle 4 is capped with a pairof small permanent magnets 5 positioned on the axle 4 with like polesfacing each other. The axle 4 rolls on a ferrous metal track 1. FIG. 5Bshows the relationships between the magnetic forces in the axle 4. Themagnets 5 are placed so that either the two north poles face the centerof the axle 4, or the two south poles face the center of the axle 4. Theclinging force that is perpendicular to the cylindrical surface of theaxle 4 will not exist otherwise. It can be seen in FIG. 5B that thisarrangement leads to a magnetic force component perpendicular to thecylindrical surface of the axle. It is this component that causes theclinging effect.

In some embodiments of the present invention, two sections of track orrails can come into a junction from different angles and be slightlyseparated with a rollway for the side member wheels with a stop thatforces one wheel to stop or slow, but allows the other to turn freely.This arrangement causes the toy to abruptly turn through just about anyangle as it leaves one section of the metal track and enters the secondsection. Of course, the metal track itself can also meander or turnthrough different angles.

FIG. 6 shows one of many possible configurations of tracks for the toy.

FIG. 7 shows square and triangular wheel configurations. The squarewheel member 8 is equipped with a decorated cover 9. The triangularwheel member 10 shows the magnet 5 at its center.

While the figures and descriptions have called for permanent magnets,any type of magnet may be used as long as the poles are in opposition(like poles facing one-another). In particular, electromagnets could beused.

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One with skill in the art willrealize that numerous changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes andvariations is within the scope of the present invention.

1. A method of suspending a rolling toy on a track comprising: passing aferrous metal central axle through two side members centrally separatedfrom each other to expose a portion of the axle; attaching a pair ofpermanent magnets, one to each end of the axle, the permanent magnetspositioned so that like poles of the permanent magnets face each othercausing an opposing magnetic field in the axle; positioning a continuousflat ferrous metal strip connected end-to-end attached on an edge of aflat non-ferrous plate, the width of the metal strip being slightlynarrower than the portion of the axle exposed; placing the exposedportion of the axle on the metal strip in a manner where the exposedportion of the axle contacts one flat surface of the metal strip,wherein the axle rolls with approximately constant speed along the stripwithout support in any vertical or horizontal position undergravitational force and a clinging magnetic force existing between theaxle and the track.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the two sidemembers are round wheel-like members.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinthe axle has a diameter of approximately ⅛ inch.
 4. The method of claim1 wherein the flat strip has a width of approximately ¼ inch.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein a portion of the flat strip is not continuous,but contains a gap of non-ferrous material inserted between ends of theferrous strip, wherein, the axle accelerates as it crosses the gap. 6.The method of claim 5 further comprising a wheel stop for one of thewheel members at said gap, wherein, the axle turns at an abrupt angle asit passes over the gap.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the sidemembers are square.
 8. The magnetic roller toy device of claim 1 whereinthe side members are triangles.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein theside members have decorated covers.
 10. A method for a magnetic rollertoy comprising: passing a ferrous metal axle through two non-ferrouswheels separated from each other to expose a central portion of theaxle; placing a pair of permanent magnets on the axle, one attached toeach end of the axle, the permanent magnets positioned so that likepermanent magnetic poles face each other; cutting a flat non-ferroussupport plate having jigsaw puzzle-like curved edges cut to an arbitrarydesign; attaching a thin, flat ferrous metal strip to the edges of theflat non-ferrous support plate connected end-to-end, the width of theferrous metal strip being slightly narrower than the central exposedportion of the axle, wherein a portion of the ferrous metal strip is notcontinuous, but contains a gap of non-ferrous material attached betweenends of the ferrous metal strip. placing the toy on the ferrous metaltrack in a manner where the exposed central portion of the axle contactsthe metal track, wherein the toy rolls along the strip at approximatelyconstant speed with the track in any vertical or horizontal positionunder gravitational force and a clinging magnetic force existing betweenthe axle and the track, except that when the toy crosses the gap ofnon-ferrous material, it accelerates.
 11. The method of claim 10 whereinthe axle has a diameter of approximately ⅛ inch.
 12. The method of claim10 wherein the strip is a thin metal strip with a width of approximately¼ inch.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising placing a wheelstop for one of the wheels at said gap, whereby the roller toy turns atan abrupt angle as it passes over the gap.
 14. A method for a roller toythat exhibits yo-yo motion as it rolls along a descending and ascendingtrack comprising: placing a non-ferrous support plate constructed to beused in a vertical configuration with at least part of an upper edgesmoothly cut to a shape of a descending and ascending roller-coastercurve; attaching a thin ferrous metal strip to the upper edge along thedescending and ascending curve; placing a roller device with a pair ofwheels attached to a cylindrical ferrous metal axle extending betweenthe wheels with a portion of the axle exposed that is slightly widerthan the ferrous metal strip; attaching a pair of permanent magnets onthe axle, each having a permanent north and south pole, wherein one ofthe permanent magnets is attached to each end of the cylindrical metalaxle with their permanent magnetic poles in opposition to each other sothat if the north pole of one permanent magnet is attached to the axleat a first end, the north pole of the other permanent magnet is attachedto the axle at a second end, or if the south pole of one permanentmagnet is attached to the axle at the first end, the south pole of theother permanent magnet is attached to the axle at the second end;placing the exposed portion of the axle in contact with the metal stripcausing the roller device to descend and ascend the roller-coaster curveat approximately constant speed.
 15. The method 14 wherein there is agap of non-ferrous material for a predetermined distance in the ferrousmetal strip in a region where the wheels also contact a flat surface sothat the roller device accelerates as it passes over the gap.